Four London South Bank University (LSBU) National Bakery School students recently attended the prestigious City Food Lecture, where they were given the opportunity to participate in a discussion about the future of the food industry.

Prior to the lecture, students had the chance to ask panel members, including BBC 4's Sheila Dillon and Group Chief Executive of the Co-operative Group, Peter Marks, questions and discuss matters of particular interest, while the panel also directed questions at the students.

The lecture itself, titled 'Water - the Linchpin of Food', was given by Paul Bulcke, Nestle's Chief Executive and focussed on key issues relating to water and how it is essential to work together to maintain sustainability.

Describing the lecture, third-year National Bakery School student Anna said: "Attending a City Food Lecture became a great opportunity for me to see British food business from different angles and helped me to understand the whole process better. It highlighted the issues industry faces and the way it deals with them on the example of such a big company as Nestle.

"Nestle Chief Executive Officer Paul Bulcke in his lecture talked about water scarcity and its major effect on food industry and some other food industry challenges, which I found very informative."

Clay Niccum, also a third-year National Bakery School student said: "As an American, I find it fascinating how the issues which concern the world are often interpreted differently across the oceans.

"Without a doubt, sustainability remains a key topic amongst world leaders and should be a continuing topic worldwide, and I was impressed to see such industry leaders in the UK taking an interest and making these issues known."

During the evening buffet, which was organised as part of the event, students were also given the opportunity to network with influential professionals from the industry, including HRH the Princess Royal, past Master of The Worshipful Company of Butchers.

Amy Potts, a National Bakery School student who also attended the event, said: "I really enjoyed the City Food lecture and feel that it greatly helped me with my assignments.

"It was great to get the chance to talk to other people who are involved with the Worshipful Company of Bakers after the lecture, and I think it will benefit all of the students who were given the opportunity to attend.

"We also got to talk to the panellists before the lecture started and I think this was a great opportunity to ask questions that weren't related to the lecture and get answers from people who we wouldn't usually get the chance to speak to.